1. Dorsal Interossei

Origin: Adjacent sides of two metacarpals

Insertion: Extensor expansion and bases of proximal phalanges of digit 2-4

Action:

  1. Abducts fingers from midline
  2. Acts with lumbricals to flex metacarpophalangeal joints and extends interphalangeal joints

Innervation: Deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8/T1)

Dorsal interossei.
Figure 8.2 Dorsal interossei, by CFCF, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Needling

Position: Various (sitting, prone, supine) with forearm pronated

Palpation: Palpate metacarpals

Technique: Needle perpendicular between the metacarpals – can aim for the sides of the metacarpals

Caution: Low – caution with interdigital nerve

Needling dorsal interossei.
Figure 8.3 Needling dorsal interossei, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 8.1 Needling dorsal interossei, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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